Mullaitivu

Coordinates: 9°17′N 80°48′E / 9.283°N 80.800°E / 9.283; 80.800

Mullaitivu
முல்லைத்தீவு
මුලතිව්
Town
Hindu temple in Mullaitivu
Mullaitivu
Location in Northern Province
Coordinates: 9°17′N 80°48′E / 9.283°N 80.800°E / 9.283; 80.800
Country Sri Lanka
Province Northern
District Mullaitivu
DS Division Maritimepattu
Population (2009)
 • Total 37,339 (est.)
Time zone UTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone)

Mullaitivu (Tamil: முல்லைத்தீவு Mullaittīvu, Sinhalese: මූලදූව) is the main town of Mullaitivu District, situated on the north-eastern coast of Northern Province, Sri Lanka. A largely fishing settlement, the town in the early twentieth century grew as an anchoring harbour of the small sailing vessels transporting goods between Colombo and Jaffna. The town has a District Secretary's office, many other government institutions and schools located in and around the area.

History

During the Kandyan Wars, the British government house in Mullaitivu was attacked by forces of Pandara Vanniyan and Dissava of Nuwara Kalawiya and lay siege to the fort. Captain Drieberg with his force of Malays escaped from the fort in boats and reached Jaffna.

During the Sri Lankan Civil War, Mullaitivu became an isolated base for the Sri Lankan armed forces. In a pitched battle the LTTE succeeded in over running the base in 1996. Following this the Sri Lankan armed forces withdrew from Mullaitivu which allowed the LTTE gained control of the area. It was damaged by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami with a large loss of life. The Sri Lankan Army took control of the town on January 25, 2009, in the Battle of Mullaitivu in its offensive against the LTTE.

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